The holidays can leave many riders feeling guilty when their horses get a few unexpected days off, but rest is not a setback—it’s a healthy, normal part of riding and horsemanship. In this week’s article, we talk about why breaks are beneficial for both horses and humans, how even professionals schedule downtime, and why your partnership won’t suffer just because life gets busy. If you’ve been feeling pressure to do it all this season, this is your reminder that it’s okay to slow down.
Christmas in Bethlehem: The Birthplace of Hope Under Occupation
Bethlehem appears on Christmas cards as a peaceful, glowing city—but the real Bethlehem is a place where beauty, faith, and resilience exist alongside checkpoints, walls, and daily restrictions. This week’s article explores what Christmas looks like today in the birthplace of Jesus, honoring the traditions of Palestinian Christian families and the realities they face under occupation. A reflection on history, humanity, and the enduring hope that continues to shine from Bethlehem every December.
Smart Tack or Smart Marketing? — Part 2
Not all barn gadgets are created equal. In Part 2 of the Smart Tack series, we look at the evidence-based therapies that actually help horses — not through hype or marketing claims, but through real physiology and peer-reviewed research. From Back on Track’s ceramic infrared technology, to therapeutic lasers, to solarium heat, to the simplest and most proven tool of all—icing—this article breaks down how each modality works, why the science supports it, and how riders can use them to improve warm-up, recovery, mobility, and long-term soundness. These are the tools I trust because the research backs them, and my horses benefit from them.
Winter Riding Risks: What the Research Says About Cold Muscles, Tendons & Joints
Winter changes how our horses move more than most riders realize. Cold temperatures make muscles stiffer, tendons less elastic, joint fluid thicker, and breathing more difficult — all of which increase the risk of injury if we don’t adjust our warm-ups and expectations. In this week’s Dressage Discussions article, we break down the science behind winter riding, how cold affects equine biomechanics, and the training adjustments that keep horses safe, comfortable, and sound all season long.
What Happens to a Horse’s Body in the Cold?
Winter changes everything for our horses — their calorie needs, hydration levels, coat insulation, and even how their digestive system functions. Yet many riders still rely on old barn myths rather than biology. This article breaks down the science behind how horses regulate body temperature, why hay keeps them warmer than grain, when cold becomes dangerous, and the biggest winter health risks owners overlook. A clear, evidence-based guide to keeping horses healthy, comfortable, and thriving all winter long.
Smart Tack or Smart Marketing? — Part 1
The equestrian world is full of high-priced wellness gadgets promising better circulation, faster recovery, and improved performance — but how much of it is real, and how much is marketing? In this week’s Dressage Discussions article, we break down the science behind BEMER therapy, PEMF systems like MagnaWave, magnetic blankets, and vibration plates. Backed by veterinary research and equine physiology, this deep dive separates fact from fiction to help riders make informed, welfare-focused decisions for their horses.
A Simple Guide to What’s Happening in Palestine
Understanding what’s happening in Palestine shouldn’t require a degree in politics. At its core, this is a story about people — families trying to live, raise children, and survive under conditions that most of the world never sees. This simple, human-centered guide breaks down who Palestinians are, what daily life looks like in Gaza and the West Bank, and why global awareness matters now more than ever.
When to Say No: Knowing When to Pull a Horse From a Show or Clinic
Knowing when not to compete is one of the hardest decisions we make as horse owners and riders. There’s pressure—money invested, goals set, dates circled on the calendar—but the horse doesn’t understand any of that. Their job is simply to tell us how they’re feeling, and it’s our responsibility to listen. From subtle lameness to heat stress to uneasy gut feelings, this article breaks down the red flags, the grey areas, and the moments when stepping back is the best decision you can make for your horse’s welfare and your long-term partnership.
The Science of Horse Memory: How Horses Learn, Remember, and Recognize Us for Years
Horses remember far more than we think. Studies show they can recognize human faces and emotions for years, recall lessons after a decade, and form lasting associations—good or bad—through every interaction. Behind that ability is a complex neurological process where emotion, repetition, and reward literally reshape the brain. This week’s post dives deep into the science of equine memory—how synapses strengthen with consistent training, how stress interferes with learning, and what it means for how we handle and teach our horses.
Where the Love Went Missing — What the Ohio Starvation Case Reveals About Our Industry
Four horses were found dead at an Ohio boarding facility last week — starved, trapped, and surrounded by evidence of prolonged suffering. This wasn’t a tragedy of ignorance; it was deliberate cruelty. The images from the scene have shaken the equestrian world, forcing all of us to confront an uncomfortable truth: neglect doesn’t only exist in the extremes. From closed-up barns to overworked show horses, too many animals live in quiet misery while the rest of us look away. This reflection isn’t just about what happened at Pure Gold Stables — it’s about what’s happening everywhere, and what it means to truly love and care for the horses who give us everything.
Dressage Discussions 